Chapter 18 - Attacks in Hogsmead
They spent the rest of the day together, and the Weasleys did decide to stay the night at the school. Lupin took Sirius back out of town.
Again, they saw Araya in the woods.
"Is that guy still hanging around?" Remus asked. Sirius nodded -yes- "Have there been any more attacks?"
"Yes. No deaths." Sirius said, changing. He felt they were far enough from town. "Thinking vampire."
Lupin's eyes marked the forest. "You sure?"
"That's what the word is." Sirius replied, "Most of the attacks have been on the elderly or kids. I'm surprised Dumbledore has allowed them down here." Sirius looked worried.
"That's why there's a dusk curfew." Remus replied. "Use the passage and come to the castle. It's important to Harry. I'll take care of things."
"You're a good friend, Remus." Sirius said, clapping him on his back.
"See you tonight." Lupin said, "I've got to get back. Be careful. If it is a vampire, no one is safe."
McGonagall waited as the carriages returned and counted the students. Araya came up from Honeydukes. "Araya, have you seen either Andrew (3rd year Slytherin), or Samantha (the Gryffindor prefect)?"
"No, sorry Minerva." Araya said, "I thought Samantha was chaperoning the younger Gryffindors."
"She was, but I took over after lunch." McGonagall said.
"I'll go look." Araya offered, "Anyone else missing? No, alright, I'll take the east end." Araya headed off, "Please let me be wrong." She looked at the sun which was sitting on the horizon, "It's too early."
Araya paused and closed her eyes. Then moved as if in a trance, into an alley. "Please let me be wrong." She saw the hem of a school robe, peaking out from a dark doorway.
Araya headed towards it. "Andrew, come on out, its time to go." No answer. "I see your-" Then the scent hit her: blood. "Andrew!" She ran and grabbed him.
Andrew was out cold, pale but breathing. Araya looked around and heard footfall heading into the distance. "Sorry, I'm late." she said to Andrew. She whispered into the wind, "Hang on. We'll take care of you." and pulled him into her arms.
Hagrid was the first to come. "Professor?"
"Hagrid, could you please bring a carriage over." Araya asked, "I don't want to carry Andrew through town."
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked, arriving slightly out of breath.
"Andrew was attacked, sir." Araya said. "I arrived too late to see the attacker, but I heard him running. I couldn't go after him, sir."
"It's alright." Dumbledore replied kindly, "How is he?"
"Out." Araya answered, "He stabilized, but he's weak."
Araya spent the night in the hospital wing with Andrew. She knew he'd be alright after a long rest. The wound was already fading.
"Masking spell." Araya said, in answer to a silent question, "Lets hope you didn't know about any of the school's secrets, or we'll soon have a lot more company around here."
"What are you still doing in here?" Dumbledore asked. The moonlight shone in his silvery hair.
"Sorry, sir. I - just felt responsible for him being here." Araya said, "The Slytherin password-"
"Already changed." Dumbledore answered her, "Anything else you want to tell me?"
"A masking spell must have been used." Araya said. She looked back at Andrew, "What about Samantha?"
"She's fine. She was just a little late." Dumbledore replied, "You should get some sleep."
Araya stood to leave, but stopped at the door, "Sir, -" Dumbledore looked at her, "Nevermind, it can wait."
"I know you guard your secrets," Dumbledore said quietly, "However, if you know something that could stop this, I would hope that you would trust me enough to tell me."
Araya looked as if she wanted to say something. Her eyes fell on Andrew, "Goodnight, sir." She headed off to her room. However, she did not arrive, her feet turned her elsewhere.
Araya awoke on the stairs to the Owlery. She looked out over the grounds. Things were going badly. She wanted to tell Dumbledore the truth, but when she looked at him the words failed.
She curled up in the window and felt like crying. She wished she knew what she should do. "I can't let anyone else be hurt." Araya looked over the grounds again.